New Orleans archbishop implores Catholics to think before they vote

Choose candidates whose aims best conform to Catholic teaching, he urges them

New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond urged the region’s Catholics to choose candidates in November whose aims best conform to Catholic teaching on a broad array of issues, including support for life, family, the poor and care for the environment. In a letter read from pulpits or included in bulletins in about 100 parishes on Sunday, Aymond did not single out abortion, euthanasia or related life issues as policy questions that eclipse others.

He did, however, ask Catholics to brief themselves on “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” a 45-page handbook issued last year by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The document proposes a framework for evaluating the moral dimensions of political issues in the context of Catholic teaching.

Aymond’s recommendations, if disseminated at all parishes, would have reached about 112,000 Catholics of all ages, including non-voting children, according to archdiocesan figures.

By long-standing convention, the Catholic church does not endorse candidates; the voter handbook does not even match candidates’ positions on various issues against church teaching.

“Forming Consciences” speaks only in terms of issues. And it advises Catholics that not all issues are morally equivalent. “The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life from the moment of conception until natural death is always wrong and is not just one issue among many. It must always be opposed,” the document said.

But it immediately adds that other “threats to human life and dignity,” like use of the death penalty, unjust war, torture, or unjust immigration policies, “are not optional concerns which can be dismissed.

“Catholics are urged to seriously consider church teaching on these issues,” as well, it said.

Archdiocesan spokeswoman Sarah McDonald said Aymond has urged Catholic parishes to conduct local voter registration drives before the election.